Steam emitting ironing board

ABSTRACT

A board for steaming and brushing wrinkles from garments utilizes a built-in flash steam generator particularly designed to avoid condensate production and thus avoid water-spotting of the garment.

[ NOV. 27, 1973 Lambert [5 STEAM EMITTING IRONING BOARD 2,506,459 5/1950 Lampiris 38/104 2,474,113 6/1949 Osipow 38/104 Inv6nt0r. L. Lambert, Run l Gilbreath n (Route 1 BOX 120) westempofi 2,527,363 10/1950 Jacowitz 38/104 Md. 21562 2,704,408 3 1955 Stehr 38/104 [22] Flled: l81973 Primary Examiner-Geo. V. Larkin [21] Appl. No.: 352,465 Attorney-Donald A. Gardiner, Jr. et a1.

52 US. Cl. 38/104 [57] ABSTRACT 51 1m. (:1. D06f 81/06 A board for Steaming and brushing wrinkles from [58] Field ofSearch 38/103-112, 135-141, 144 ments utilizes a built-in flash Steam generator P larly designed to avoid condensate production and [56] References Cited thus avoid water-spotting of the garment. UNITED STATES PATENTS 6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 3,430,370 3/1969' Topliffe 38 104 Patented Nov. 27, 1973 NMVE v ml .N. 6 0 Q .N. O O

1 STEAM EMITTING IRONING BOARD ENVIRONMENT OF INVENTION BACKGROUND OF INVENTION PRIOR ART Ironing boards which include provision for generating and emitting steam have been disclosed in such US. Pat. as Jacowitz No. 2,527,363; Osipow No. 2,474,l 13;

Gilbreath No. 2,486,642; and Jacowitz No. 2,606,275.

In each of these disclosures, a substantial volume of water is applied directly or fed continuously to the steam generator in a manner by which steam is generated until that volume is exhausted.

Another disclosure, ToplifieUS. Pat. No. 3,430,370, recognizes the desirability of controlled intermittent emission of steam, and provides an elaborate mechanism to continuously generate steam, but to control its forceable discharge into an ironing board emission chamber by a foot pedal controlled solenoid valve.

It is also recognized as being old in the art to utilize flash generation of steam in pressing irons, as exemplified by McCracken et al. US. Pat. No. 2,624,828.

OBJECTS OF THIS INVENTION In contradistinction to the aforementioned disclosures, this invention provides a steam emitting ironing board wherein the steam generator comprises a flash steam generating plate efl'ective to emit steam only as controlledamounts of water are fed thereto, usually in intermittent small amounts. The flash generator is uniquely constructed to avoid condensation of the steam against the ironing board surface so as to avoid water spotting of the garment.

In addition to the foregoing objects, this invention includes among its objects: I

l. the provision of a steam emitting ironing which is adapted to domestic use,

2. the provision of an ironing board which permits close control of intermittent applications of steam to'a fabric,

3. the provision of a steam emitting ironing board in which use as a dry ironing board between steam ap- 'plications is enhanced by avoiding condensation at the board surface,

4. the provision of a steam emitting ironing board in which water spotting of garments is avoided,

5. the provision of a steam emitting ironing board which may be readily stored between uses without the necessity of draining water therefrom,

6. the provision of a steam generating ironing hoard which exhibits improved safety by avoiding use of hot water as an intermediary to steam generation,

board 7. the provision of a steam emitting ironing board which incorporates all of the foregoing objectives and yet is lightweight'and readily handleable, and

8. the origination of a method of steaming fabrics in which water spotting by steam condensate is avoided.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on lines III-III of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. 1, the steam emitting ironing board comprises an ironing board generally indicated at 1 of conventional peripheral configuration, but including a water reservoir 2, a control means in the form of a push-button valve actuator 3, and a steam emitting section 4. The steam emitting section 4 is depicted for illustrative purposes as being constructed of expanded metal, it being understood that any perforated surface may be utilized. This surface is constructed so as to have sufficient rigidity to support a fabric and withstand normal ironing pressures and yet have sufficient area of perforation to permit relatively free flow of steam therethrough. Thematerial should be heat receptive for a purpose later to be described, and to this end is preferably constructed of a metal having a dull or dark undersurface. The board may be covered by a conventional ironing board cover (not shown).

Turning to FIG. 2, the ironing board 1 comprises a hollow enclosure defined by a generally pan-shaped support 5 and a cover member 6 which includes the aforementioned perforate area 4. Disposed atone end of the board is the aforementioned reservoir 2 with a fill opening exposed for ready access from the top of the board and closed by liquid-tight sealing means such as a cap 7 including a vent aperture 8 and a slitteddiaphragm 9. The combination aperture and slitted diaphragm is conventional and serves as a check valve to admit air during recession of the liquid level to avoid creation of reduced pressure within the reservoir, while restricting flow of liquid to the exterior when the ironing board is moved to a vertical position during handling and storage.

A generally centrally located partition 10 serves to divide the enclosure and thus define therein a steam chamber subjacent to the perforate steam emitting section 4. Disposed within the steam chamber is a flash generator comprising an insulative block 11 having a heat reflective metallized surface 12 extending over at least the top surface thereof. Between the metallized insulative block 11 and the steam emitting surface 4 is a cast aluminum flash generator plate 13 having an electric heating element 14 embedded therein and having a dished upper surface which permits the brief retention of limited amounts of water thereon. A conduit 15 extends from the reservoir 2 into said chamber where a portion thereof overlies the flash generator plate 13, the overlying portion being provided with apertures to distribute liquid over the dished upper surface thereof. The conduit is constructed of small diameter (/4 inch) tubing which permits only a limited flow of fluid therethrough, and the number and distribution of the apertures assure that all of this limited fluid flow is readily distributed over the dish-shaped surface of the flash steam generator plate 13.

Interposed in the conduit 15 is the aforementioned valve 3, which in the preferred embodiment illustrated is a push-button operated spring-biased (i.e., momentary operated) valve of conventional construction. If desired, this valve could be of a limited time delay type wherein a dashpot delays full closure thereof for a time sufficient to permit flow of a predetermined quantity of fluid. The push-button actuator is conveniently positioned on the upper surface of the board, but any position readily accessible to the user can be utilized.

A water-proof electric cord 16 serves to interconnect the heating element 14 with an adjustable dialcontrolled temperature regulator 17 which is in turn connected to a power source (not shown) by a heavyduty electric cord 18.

In operation, a garment is placed over the steam emitting portion 4. When it is desired to subject the garment to steam treatment, the push button is depressed to momentarily open valve 3 and permit the flow of a limited quantity of water through the conduit 15 from whence it is distributed over the surface of the flash-generating plate 13. The surface of the plate having been previously raised to a temperature above 212 F. by the heating element 14 acts to flash evaporate the limited quantity of water into steam. The evaporation causes a rapid expansion in volume which brings about a sudden rise in pressure in the steam chamber defined by top and bottom members 5 and 6 and partition 10, thus forcing the steam through the perforate top portion 4 and against the garment resting thereon.

Upon complete flashing of the limited amount of water, the flash generating plate immediately becomes dry and functions to radiate dry heat directly to the underside of the perforate section 4. Moreover, heat originating in the flash generator and radiating or convecting downwardly is in turn reflected upwardly to this same surface by the reflective metal covered insulative block 11. Thus, virtually the total amount of heat generated within the chamber during intervals between successive flash steam generation cycles is applied to the underside of the perforate steam emitting portion to pre-heat the same. This heating of the perforate surface is enhanced by the dull heat absorptive undersurface thereof, and serves to maintain this surface in a condition whereby subsequent impingement of steam thereagainst will not result in condensation. Moreover, the reflective heat insulating block 11 avoids overheating of the undersurface of the supporting pan 5, and the complete vaporization of the liquid avoids accumulation of hot liquid which otherwise would be hazardous in the event of accidental overturn of the ironing board or accidental overflow during refilling.

Upon completion of a steaming cycle, the board can immediately be used as a conventional dry-ironing board inasmuch as no condensation has permeated the ironing board cover to result in residual moisture and consequent undesirable steam generation. Furthermore, the apparatus remains in pro-heated condition for immediate reuse in the steaming cycle, or can be disconnected, folded and stored in conventional fashion without any need of draining the generator or reservoir.

Having thus set forth my invention by a description of a preferred embodiment rendered for illustrative purposes only, it is understood that the scope of the invention is not limited by that description but is to be determined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. A steam emitting ironing board comprising:

A. a generally horizontally disposed perforate steam emitting surface for receiving a fabric thereupon,

B. a steam generating chamber defined in part by said perforate surface and underlying the same, said chamber having disposed therein a. a flash type steam generating plate including a shallow dish-shaped upper surface exposed to the underside of said steam emitting surface,

b. a heat reflective thermally insulating block disposed below said plate,

C. a water reservoir disposed remotely from said steam chamber,

D. a conduit in fluid communication with said reservoir, extending into said chamber and having a portion overlying said plate, said overlying portion having fluid-distributing openings therein,

E. a control valve interposed in said conduit, said control valve being biased to the closed position and effective upon actuation to allow passage of a limited amount of fluid through said conduit and said distributing openings to said flash steam generating plate surface.

2. A steam emitting ironing board as set forth in claim 1 wherein the underside of said steam emitting surface comprises a heat receptive finish.

3. A steam emitting ironing board as set forth in claim 1 wherein said reservoir includes liquid-tight sealing means whereby said ironing board can be stored in an upright position without spillage of liquid therefrom.

4. A steam emitting ironing board as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flash type steam generating plate comprises a cast aluminum plate having an electric heating element embedded therein.

5. A steam emitting ironing board as set forth in claim 4 including a temperature control means interconnecting said heater and a power source.

6. The method of steaming fabrics comprising the steps of:

A. providing a generally horizontal disposed perforate steam emitting surface,

B. applying dry radiation to the underside of said perforate surface to preheat said surface to a temperature sufficient to avoid condensation of steam thereagainst, v

C. placing a garment on the upper side of said surface,

D. generating a limited quantity of steam,

E. passing said steam in a flow upwardly through said perforate surface for a limited period of time,

F. immediately upon cessation of said steam flow, resuming the application of dry heat to said underside of said steam emitting surface.

It k i It 

1. A steam emitting ironing board comprising: A. a generally horizontally disposed perforate steam emitting surface for receiving a fabric thereupon, B. a steam generating chamber defined in part by said perforate surface and underlying the same, said chamber having disposed therein a. a flash type steam generating plate including a shallow dish-shaped upper surface exposed to the underside of said steam emitting surface, b. a heat reflective thermally insulating block disposed below said plate, C. a water reservoir disposed remotely from said steam chamber, D. a conduit in fluid communication with said reservoir, extending into said chamber and having a portion overlying said plate, said overlying portion having fluid-distributing openings therein, E. a control valve interposed in said conduit, said control valve being biased to the closed position and effective upon actuation to allow passage of a limited amount of fluid through said conduit and said distributing openings to said flash steam generating plate surface.
 2. A steam emitting ironing board as seT forth in claim 1 wherein the underside of said steam emitting surface comprises a heat receptive finish.
 3. A steam emitting ironing board as set forth in claim 1 wherein said reservoir includes liquid-tight sealing means whereby said ironing board can be stored in an upright position without spillage of liquid therefrom.
 4. A steam emitting ironing board as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flash type steam generating plate comprises a cast aluminum plate having an electric heating element embedded therein.
 5. A steam emitting ironing board as set forth in claim 4 including a temperature control means interconnecting said heater and a power source.
 6. The method of steaming fabrics comprising the steps of: A. providing a generally horizontal disposed perforate steam emitting surface, B. applying dry radiation to the underside of said perforate surface to preheat said surface to a temperature sufficient to avoid condensation of steam thereagainst, C. placing a garment on the upper side of said surface, D. generating a limited quantity of steam, E. passing said steam in a flow upwardly through said perforate surface for a limited period of time, F. immediately upon cessation of said steam flow, resuming the application of dry heat to said underside of said steam emitting surface. 